Waterford IT will introduce two innovative new four-year full-time degrees next autumn: a BA in health promotion and a BA in exercise and health studies.

They are not included in the CAO handbook and the college will be accepting direct applications (places will be allocated on the basis on Leaving Cert points).

This is the first time an undergraduate health promotion qualification will be available in the Republic. Although historically there has been little emphasis on health promotion, there is currently a perceptible turn in the tide, according to the college. There has been a five-fold increase in health promotion staff employed by health boards over the past 10 years.

As well as health boards, the college envisages graduates finding work in "new market niches in community, workplace and primary care settings". There is a four-month placement in the third year of the course.

It is envisaged that graduates of the BA in exercise and health studies will work as a new type of professional - the exercise professional or practitioner. The hope is that these exercise professionals would work with health boards, on GP exercise referral schemes, as personal trainers, with special needs groups and in corporate health and fitness. This course also includes a four-month placement.

As with all new degrees, students are taking something of a risk as they do not know how the marketplace will react to the new qualification. On the plus side, new degrees are often something of a bargain, in terms of points requirements, though Waterford IT already reports a strong degree of interest in both new programmes.

Waterford IT already offers a national diploma in business studies (recreation and leisure) and a BA in recreation and leisure.

Anne Byrne